Zelensky's Saudi visit and defence deals

Day 1,492.

Today, as Ukraine continues its strikes on Russian oil terminals on the Baltic Sea, we explore how Russia’s oil exports and wider economy are benefiting from the war in Iran. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky is in Saudi Arabia seeking to strengthen defence cooperation in the Middle East. And later, we bring several updates from the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, along with the first episode from Francis’s new documentary series dedicated to Hungary – widely seen as the chief barrier to the European Union’s efforts to support Kyiv.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest).

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest).

With thanks to Dr Jade McGlynn.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Francis’s Hungary film will top this playlist as soon as it’s live at c.20:00 GMT/15:00 ET:

https://youtu.be/fIILzKnFs2o?si=6pkMUNstkZjtYxfW

Accompanying article:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/27/hungary-russia-ukraine-viktor-orban-war-explained-dispatch/ 

How Ukraine killed Putin’s plan to make billions from Iran war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/27/ukraine-killed-putins-plan-make-millions-iran-war/ 

Exclusive: Trump's Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trumps-iran-war-pushes-india-rekindle-old-friendship-with-russia-2026-03-27/

Why Ukraine’s Russian oil strikes are backfiring (The Spectator):

https://spectator.com/article/why-ukraines-russian-oil-strikes-are-backfiring/

Willing Accomplices: Gazprom and Rosneft’s role in the transport and indoctrination of children (Yale School of Public Health, HUmanitarian Research Lab):

https://files-profile.medicine.yale.edu/documents/685979f1-6c89-4295-a765-d6fee48357e3

Welcome to ‘New Russia’: How the Kremlin is remaking occupied Ukraine (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/welcome-new-russia-how-kremlin-is-remaking-occupied-ukraine-2026-03-26/

How Russia attempts to legalize the occupation of Crimea (Kyiv Independent): 

https://kyivindependent.com/how-russia-attempts-to-legalize-the-occupation-of-crimea/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

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